Evolution 2002 - the Newcastle Gateshead Music Festival - is from April 26 to May 6 and features blues and country music, to today's cutting edge dance and rock.

All major venues in Newcastle and Gateshead are backing the event and some of the biggest names in rock, pop, jazz, roots and dance music are being lined up to perform.

The event will be another feather in the cap for the Newcastle Gateshead Capital of Culture bid.

Other North East music events announced this year include Galaxy's, Out There Prince's Trust concert at Gateshead Stadium and the Window on the World Festival at North Shields Fish Quay.

Evolution follows on from the hugely successful Newcastle 2000 Music Festival, which included names like Van Morrison, Joe Strummer, indie band Elastica and recent chart-topping DJ, Roger Sanchez.

This year's event is being promoted by Newcastle's Jumpin' Hot Club and music agency Generator.

Already signed up are Edwin Starr, Martha Reeves, Freda Payne, Dave Edmunds, John Hammond (in his only UK date this year) and DJ, CJ Mackintosh.

Other star names and world-famous DJs will be revealed over the coming weeks in the Chronicle.

"We want to bring the world's greatest artists to the region to chart the history of popular music," said Evolution co-organiser, Adam Collerton.

"We are working to build the festival up over the next five years to make it a major part of the European Capital of Culture bid.

"The festival has the backing of Newcastle and Gateshead Councils and with the opening of the Gateshead Music Centre, this is the perfect time to build up a major international music festival.

"It's not all about big name groups either. Generator will be promoting concerts at the Cluny and Newcastle Arts Centre, featuring local talent."

There will also be education workshops, teaching children about the links between today's styles and roots music.

"There won't be another festival in the UK this year bringing together such a varied and eclectic bill of quality acts," said Mr Collerton.

* Don't miss the Chronicle for exclusive announcements on big names appearing at the festival. Evolution will also have further details.

Behind us all the way

Pop Idol's Aaron Bayley is the latest North celebrity to back the Chronicle Culture Vulture Club.

The former Tyneside train driver has given his enthusiastic support to the Newcastle Gateshead European Capital of Culture bid.

Aaron, from Walkerdene in Newcastle, said: "We have great nightlife, fantastic architecture and there's plenty to do for people of all ages.

"We deserve to be named Capital of Culture and share everything we've got to offer with the rest of Europe. At the moment they don't know what they're missing and I'm more than happy to give my support to this bid."

Thirteen cities are competing for the Capital of Culture crown in 2008 and bids will be submitted to the Government at the end of March. A shortlist will be drawn up in September and Tony Blair will announce the winner next year.

Church leader Ambrose Griffiths has joined backers of the bid.

Powerful support also comes from influential writer, broadcaster and Labour peer, Melvyn Bragg.

As presenter of the television arts programme, The South Bank Show, Cumbrian-born Lord Bragg's backing is a boost for the campaign.